A new study conducted by researchers from The Institute of Cancer Research, London, reveals that engaging in regular leisure time physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer in women before menopause.
This finding adds to a growing body of evidence highlighting the health benefits of physical activity.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, analyzed data from 19 studies conducted worldwide, including the Breast Cancer Now Generations Study.
The research focused on 547,000 women who had not yet gone through menopause, tracking their physical activity levels and cancer diagnoses.
During an average follow-up period of 11.5 years, 10,231 women were diagnosed with breast cancer before reaching menopause.
The researchers categorized the women’s physical activity levels based on the amount of leisure time activities such as sports, cycling, and recreational walking.
The results revealed that women who engaged in the highest levels of physical activity, representing the top 10%, were 10% less likely to develop breast cancer before menopause compared to those in the lowest 10% of physical activity levels.
The analysis accounted for other breast cancer risk factors and lifestyle behaviors, including BMI, family history of breast cancer, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Importantly, the study did not specify a specific amount of physical activity required to achieve these benefits. Instead, it emphasized that the more time women spent on moderate and vigorous physical activity outside of work-related tasks, the lower their risk of breast cancer.
The mechanisms by which physical activity reduces breast cancer risk are not entirely understood, but previous research suggests several potential factors.
Physical activity can lower sex hormone levels like estrogen and testosterone, which have previously been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Additionally, it reduces insulin and growth hormone levels, which can stimulate breast cancer growth. Furthermore, physical activity reduces overall inflammation, a factor associated with cancer development and progression.
Dr. Michael Jones, Senior Staff Scientist at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, noted that this research provides solid evidence that greater leisure time physical activity is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer in younger women.
While breast cancer risk is influenced by various factors, many of which are beyond an individual’s control, this study highlights the importance of adopting a physically active lifestyle as a means of reducing the risk of developing breast cancer, particularly before menopause.
Dr. Simon Vincent, Director of Research, Support, and Influencing at Breast Cancer Now, emphasized the need for women to make small, healthy lifestyle changes that can positively impact their health and help lower their risk of breast cancer.
This research underscores the urgency of finding ways to prevent breast cancer, especially among younger women, as early diagnosis and effective prevention strategies are essential in managing this disease.
If you care about breast cancer, please read studies about a major cause of deadly breast cancer, and common blood pressure drugs may increase death risk in breast cancer.
For more information about cancer, please see recent studies that new cancer treatment could reawaken the immune system, and results showing vitamin D can cut cancer death risk.
The research findings can be found in Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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